Cost of Living Comparison Between Burkina Faso and United States Cost of Living Comparison Between Burkina Faso and United States

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $515 per month in Burkina Faso vs $2,642 in United States, rent included.

A couple spends around $849 per month in Burkina Faso vs $3,857 in United States, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,183 per month in Burkina Faso vs $5,072 in United States, rent included.

The cost of living in Burkina Faso is roughly 81% lower than in United States on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Burkina Faso sits 61% below the global median, while United States is 98% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.38 F CFA 3,081
$19.63 $19.63
-72.59%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.15 F CFA 13.8K
$75.4 $75.4
-67.99%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.00 F CFA 4,583
$11.57 $11.57
-30.86%
Cappuccino
$1.74 F CFA 997
$5.22 $5.22
-66.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.83 F CFA 476
$2.49 $2.49
-66.67%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.55 F CFA 315
$2.06 $2.06
-73.30%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.05 F CFA 599
$5.91 $5.91
-82.23%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.88 F CFA 1,074
$7.13 $7.13
-73.63%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.71 F CFA 1,553
$1.09 $1.09
148.62%
White Bread (500g)
$0.90 F CFA 518
$3.56 $3.56
-74.72%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.98 F CFA 564
$4.74 $4.74
-79.32%
Eggs
$2.96 F CFA 1,694
$4.34 $4.34
-31.80%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.37 F CFA 9,953
$12.68 $12.68
36.99%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$21.29 F CFA 12.2K
$12.28 $12.28
73.37%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.31 F CFA 7,055
$16.60 $16.60
-25.84%
Apples (1kg)
$4.48 F CFA 2,565
$5.16 $5.16
-13.18%
Banana (1kg)
$1.36 F CFA 780
$1.70 $1.70
-20.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.99 F CFA 566
$4.45 $4.45
-77.75%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.44 F CFA 1,400
$4.80 $4.80
-49.17%
Potato (1kg)
$2.18 F CFA 1,250
$2.93 $2.93
-25.60%
Onion (1kg)
$1.31 F CFA 751
$3.09 $3.09
-57.61%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.86 F CFA 494
$2.22 $2.22
-61.26%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.36 F CFA 778
$2.25 $2.25
-39.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.72 F CFA 985
$9.90 $9.90
-82.63%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.11 F CFA 3,500
$15.28 $15.28
-60.01%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.25 F CFA 713
$1.91 $1.91
-34.55%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.40 F CFA 1,375
$3.58 $3.58
-32.96%
🚌 Getting Around
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.19 F CFA 110
$2.46 $2.46
-92.28%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$64.6 $64.6
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.51 F CFA 290
$3.77 $3.77
-86.47%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.62 F CFA 931
$1.71 $1.71
-5.26%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$30.08 $30.08
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.54 F CFA 881
$0.96 $0.96
60.42%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.4K F CFA 22.0M
$29.9K $29.9K
28.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$37.6K F CFA 21.5M
$26.1K $26.1K
43.67%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$128 F CFA 73.4K
$210 $210
-39.06%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.52 F CFA 20.3K
$56.3 $56.3
-36.90%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$50.6 F CFA 29.0K
$72.9 $72.9
-30.62%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$61.0 F CFA 34.9K
$45.39 $45.39
34.32%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.74 F CFA 5,010
$21.60 $21.60
-59.54%
Cinema Ticket
$8.57 F CFA 4,909
$14.04 $14.04
-38.96%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$130 F CFA 74.6K
$1,377 $1,377
-90.54%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$17.3K F CFA 9.9M
$22.4K $22.4K
-22.52%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$52.7 $52.7
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$42.41 $42.41
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$91.8 $91.8
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$114 $114
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$443 F CFA 253.6K
$1,765 $1,765
-74.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$277 F CFA 158.6K
$1,462 $1,462
-81.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,259 F CFA 721.5K
$2,849 $2,849
-55.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$752 F CFA 430.9K
$2,369 $2,369
-68.26%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$859 F CFA 492.2K
$3,364 $3,364
-74.46%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$261 F CFA 149.7K
$2,665 $2,665
-90.20%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$586 F CFA 335.7K
$4,378 $4,378
-86.62%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
6.51
-

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Burkina Faso: July 13, 2026

Last update for United States: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $225 in Burkina Faso vs $1,635 in United States. For reference, capital cities sit at $449 in Ouagadougou and $1,625 in Washington, MI.

Average salary: $607 in Burkina Faso vs $4,500 in United States. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 627% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 508% more in United States.

Salaries are 641% higher in United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in United States.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Burkina Faso vs United States: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burkina Faso more expensive than United States?
Burkina Faso is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 532% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Burkina Faso, contributing to the overall 532% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in Burkina Faso or in United States?
$1,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Burkina Faso, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Burkina Faso or to United States?
Burkina Faso is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.

Burkina Faso vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar countries